India Sports Tribune

MARGAO, INDIA: Punjab FC had to resort to penalties to book their berth in the semifinals of the ongoing AIFF Super Cup on Wednesday, November 5. The Shers defeated Bengaluru FC 5-4 via shots from the spot after this winner-takes-all clash ended goalless in regular time at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa. Penalties were necessary to decide the winner since both teams ended with the same points (7) and the same goal difference (6) at the end of the evening.

Both sides played out a compact game at the back and rarely allowed each other to advance or create any opportunities. Bengaluru manager Gerard Zaragoza, known for his attacking tendencies, deployed several options, including bringing Sunil Chhetri and Ashique Kuruniyan on to advance their cause.

However, despite enjoying possession, the Blues could not break the deadlock. Perhaps the closest they came to scoring was when centre-back Chinglensana Singh flayed his header over the cross-bar in the first half, and earlier when Braian Sanchez’s dipping cross from the right was saved by Punjab’s goalkeeper Muheet Shabir.

Towards the end of the game, Bengaluru won several corners, the most crucial of which was the one that defender Rahul Bheke could not keep on target from a Vinith Venkatesh set-piece. In the penalties that followed, Suresh Singh, Bheke, Chhetri and Sánchez scored for Bengaluru, while Ryan Williams’ shot was saved. Punjab scored all five of their penalties: Nsungsi Effiong, Princeton Rebello, Samir Zeljković, Leon Augustine, and Vinit Rai.

Earlier in the day, at the GMC Bambolim Stadium, Gokulam Kerala FC beat Mohammedan SC 3-0 in an inconsequential match. This result tipped the Malabarians to the third position of the league table, while the Black Panthers remained last with no wins in this tournament. Albert Torras, Samuel Kynshi and Juan Carlos scored a goal apiece for Gokulam in this morale-boosting win before the upcoming I-League season. Punjab have advanced to the semifinals from Group C, joining East Bengal and FC Goa from Group A and B, respectively. The winner of Group D will be decided in a clash between Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters on Thursday, November 6.

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